COTSWOLD District Council has tracked down and fined a fly-tipper £400 following a tip-off from a concerned resident. 

The fly-tipper was caught dumping more than two tonnes of bark chips by a quick-thinking Northleach man who caught the illegal act on camera. 

Thanks to this photographic evidence and assistance from local police officers, the council was able to issue the offender with a fixed penalty notice.

Councillor Andrew Doherty, cabinet member for waste and recycling, said: “Fly-tipping of any kind is a criminal offence and a blight on our beautiful district. This council will use its powers of enforcement in all cases where we are able to, either through the issue of a Fixed Penalty Notice or through a prosecution. 

“We will continue to work hard to reduce and prevent waste from being dumped illegally; with the ultimate goal to stop fly-tipping in the Cotswolds. With the help of residents, we can make your area a safer, cleaner and greener place for all.

“I would like to thank our local police teams whose assistance has been invaluable in helping us to crack down on environmental crime here in the Cotswolds. 

“My thanks also go to the local resident who reported this crime to us and I would encourage all our residents to report any and all environmental crimes they witness as a matter of urgency.

“If you have evidence of a fly-tip or concerns about the illegal dumping of waste in your community, please report it on our website cotswold.gov.uk/flytipping.”

The website also includes information about how householders can help to prevent fly-tipping and how to legally deal with waste.

Legally, everyone has a 'duty of care' to ensure household or business waste is disposed of correctly. If fly-tipping by a third party is traced back to you, you could face a £400 fixed penalty notice.

Fly-tipping is the illegal deposit of waste onto land. This causes a significant blight on the local environment and is often a source of pollution, which can endanger public health and wildlife.